MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Why You Should Never Use Someone Else’s Toothbrush

Using a toothbrush that doesn't belong to you isn't a romantic gesture. It's a health risk.

Cricket, grasshopper, or '50s sci-fi monster?

The Differences Between a Cricket and a Grasshopper, Explained

Grasshoppers and crickets belong to the same insect order. But they aren't the same species.

Why Do We Call Them Bobby Pins?

There’s a surprisingly rich history at the root of this hair accessory.

The ‘Seinfeld’ Double-Dip Is Exactly as Gross as It Seems, According to Science

You really don’t want to know what’s lurking in that dip.

Where Does the Word ‘Née’ Come From?

Née’s meaning is technically “born,” and we borrowed it from the same place we got the terms ‘déjà vu’ and ‘cul-de-sac.’

Arenas and stadiums have some key differences.

What’s the Difference Between an Arena and a Stadium?

Seating capacity is just one part of it.

How Do Streets Get Named?

While developers can feel free to submit any name they’d like for a new street, cities usually have guidelines and standards.

Is It Safe to Eat Snow?

Fresh snow might look tasty, but just because it looks clean doesn’t mean it actually is.

The Reason Why You Can’t Drink Airplane Bathroom Water

Glugging tap water on a plane is a terrible idea.

Why Do We Use the Word ‘Mug’ as a Synonym for ‘Face’?

How a love of drinking and Britain’s 18th-century Toby jugs might have inspired the slang word for ‘face.’

Why Is Australia Both a Country And a Continent?

The definition of a continent isn't as concrete as you might expect, but a few qualities help earn Australia that distinction.

Fire trucks are a common sight at ambulance calls.

Why Do Fire Trucks Come When You Call for an Ambulance?

Why does the fire department show up for emergency calls if nothing is on fire?

The Scientific Reason Cheddar Cheese Tastes So Good

That delicious bowl of cheddar soup is really a big bowl of (good) bacteria.

Disc vs. Disk: What’s the Difference?

Deciding to write 'disc' or 'disk' depends on what kind of disc it is. Sometimes.

Eating good food can leave you lighter in the wallet.

The Reason Healthy Food Is Often More Expensive Than Junk Food

Eating well often comes at a premium price. Here’s why.

Here's What the 'A' Button Does in Your Car

Worried about pressing strange buttons in your new car? Us, too. But you'll probably like this one.

It‘s best to have dry oven mitts before taking anything out of the oven.

Why You Should Never Use a Wet Oven Mitt

Oven mitts allow us to handle delicious hot things, but using one that's not totally dry can result in kitchen mishaps.

Why Do We Make New Year’s Resolutions?

Every time a new year rolls around, people set out to better themselves. But why do we make these promises to ourselves, and where did this tradition come from? We can start by blaming the ancient Babylonians.

Why Does the New Year Start on January 1?

Ever wonder why the new year officially starts on January 1? Turns out, you can thank Pope Gregory XIII—and Julius Caesar.

Why Do We ‘Ring In’ the New Year?

The meaning of ‘ring in the New Year’ is now mostly metaphorical, but it used to involve literal ringing.

Here’s how to stop those post-shower sweats.

The Reason You Sweat After a Shower—and How to Stop It

Breaking out in a sweat after you take a hot shower is normal, but there are steps you can take to prevent it.

Sorry, Web Scholars: Reading Print Is Better for Comprehension

A meta-analysis found a greatly reduced level of information retention when people got their data from screens instead of physical books.

Why Is the Space Needle Shaped Like That?

Seattle’s iconic Space Needle debuted at the 1962 World’s Fair—and was inspired by America's Space Race with the Soviet Union.

What did Scrooge mean when he said “Bah! Humbug!” anyway?

What Does “Bah, Humbug!” Actually Mean?

The meaning of ‘Bah, humbug!’ is a little more layered than what people normally attribute to Ebenezer Scrooge of ‘A Christmas Carol.’

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